Meet Nancy
How long have you lived in the Bay Area?
Thirty years.
How did you learn about Save Mount Diablo?
I was looking for volunteer opportunities to get involved in environment conservation and Save Mount Diablo came up!
When did you start volunteering with us, and why did you get involved?
I started volunteering this past year as I recently retired and usually spend a lot of my time hiking and biking up Mount Diablo and wanted to give back and help out and protect the beautiful mountain and surroundings.
Which Save Mount Diablo programs are you involved in?
The DiRT days at Ang and Irish Canyon, including acorn planting and the summer watering crew.
What do you enjoy about the volunteer work you do?
I really enjoy being outside and doing hands-on work that impacts the land.
It is so rewarding and exciting to see the results of what we do, whether it’s cleaning up or planting an acorn and seeing it grow into a tree. I have a whole new appreciation for all the effort it takes to protect our natural spaces.
What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on as a Save Mount Diablo volunteer?
I would say watering the acorns—having to lug up two gallons of water in each hand, climbing uphill, on rocky or narrow trails, especially on a beautiful, hot, sunny day. It really tests your endurance, strength, and balance.
Is there a memorable experience you’ve had as a Save Mount Diablo volunteer?
The first time I carried the water up the steep hill, it was harder than I thought—my arms were burning and I had to stop so I didn’t fall down the hill.
But when I poured the water over the little tree, I felt so good because I was helping this little plant grow. The struggle was worth it.
How do you spend your time beyond your volunteer work with us?
Outside of volunteering, I enjoy staying active—I like hiking, biking, golfing, swimming, skiing, and walking my dog, Maddie, an eight-year-old boxer.
I also love spending time with family and friends, whether we’re traveling, playing games, or just relaxing over a glass of wine. Photography is another passion of mine, especially when I’m outdoors.
